Prototype Battle For M1
Both Chrysler Defense and General Motors built prototypes of the XM1 Abrams by 1976. After extensive trials, Chrysler’s tank was selected for development by the U.S. Army as the M1. One fundamental difference in the vehicles was Chrysler Defense included a turbine-powered design while General Motors featured a traditional diesel engine. The Diesel design proved to have a few issues. The two tanks, as well as Leopard 2 “2K,” faced each other in testing at Aberdeen Proving Ground in 1976.